Still the same: Clubs hold volunteer hour opportunities through virtual service projects

BY RYAN MERARD

After CCHS’s Rush Week concluded on September 11, clubs have begun to welcome their new and returning members. When on campus, clubs would hold meetings for members to come and discuss future plans and tasks. They would also at times create service projects that they aim to carry out so as to give members the chance to make an impact on their community. However, with students not being able to come together on school grounds due to social distancing and eLearning, clubs have to meet virtually to work towards completing their goals and missions. 

Clubs offer students many opportunities to gain community service hours, helping them earn the 40 hours needed to graduate. Many clubs are just beginning to operate in the new school year, so a small activity may be given to help members ease into the club. For example, Key Club’s first project is a poster project.

Members who volunteer in this project can make a poster on what they look forward to in Key Club, what they like about Key Club or lessons they’ve learned through quarantine. Every poster students make, with a maximum of four, earns them one community service hour. 

“As of right now, we are offering mostly online-based service hours for our members and participants.”

Key Club president Isabella Marcon

“As of right now, we are offering mostly online-based service hours for our members and participants,” Key Club president Isabella Marcon said. “We may also offer other service projects throughout the month, but we will definitely be having at least two set service hour opportunities for them to do.”

As the months go by, clubs will start to host more developed service projects in attempts to have an impact on the community. Interact Club is holding a virtual cooking class, as well as a trivia night for members to participate in. They are also planning to hold service projects soon, like sending letters of positivity to friends and family in support of Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.

Clubs that often are involved with competitions and tournaments are also creating ways for members to gain service hours as well. 

CCHS’s Speech and Debate Club will participate in all of their tournaments online, where members can debate against other schools through Zoom and Microsoft Teams meetings. Members also have the chance to judge students in other debate events in return for service hours. These tournaments are usually held after school and on Saturdays, leaving many opportunities for students to gain volunteer hours.

“I know that this situation is not ideal, but I feel so fortunate that we still have the ability to compete and communicate.”

Speech and Debate Vice President of Membership Desiree Kurtz

“I know that this situation is not ideal, but I feel so fortunate that we still have the ability to compete and communicate,” Speech and Debate Vice President of Membership Desiree Kurtz said. “Although such events would be easier and more efficient in person, I’m just glad that we are able to participate in a safe matter.”

Under normal circumstances, clubs would gather together in person and find ways to help their community, whether it’s through holding food drives, decorating gardens or cleaning up beaches. Working from a distance, these clubs still aim to provide equal service hour opportunities to its members. Doing service projects online may take away the feeling of establishing an inner community within the club for new members, but club officials hope to find ways that allow every member to make a difference in their own community, no matter the current situation.

“Sure, it feels a little strange to not see everyone in person, but the intent to provide service for the community is all the same,” Interact Club Corresponding Secretary Matias Jimenez said. “For people that are genuinely unable to leave their homes, the only option to stay completely isolated would be to participate in an online service event. If that’s the absolute best way to keep everyone safe, then I’m all for it!”

Photo courtesy of CCHS Speech and Debate on Instagram